MALDIVES - the best insider tips for vacation, holiday & travel

The Perfect Desert-Island Archipelago Paradise

The Maldives in Southeast Asia, is made up of more than 1100 islands, gorgeous atolls, azure lagoons, stunning coral reefs, silky sand beaches, and surrounded by the beautiful Indian Ocean, making it one of the most besought honeymoon and island getaway destinations around the globe. Its tranquil waters is also a diver’s delight being home to more than 300 species of aquatic life and 200 kinds of striking corals. Apart from invigorating sun-soaked and romantic sunset activities, the Maldives offers many attractions like visiting the Hulmahale man made island, the Male capital to see Maldivians everyday life and shop for souvenirs, the Male National Museum by Sultan’s park to take a peek at their colourful history. Sampling the aromatic and spice enriched caught on the same day fresh local cuisine is also a great way to experience the archipelago.

The Maldives is renowned for being a seat of luxury having many of the best and most luxurious island resorts. The Maldives locals are mostly Sunni Muslim so it would be wise to take note that alcoholic beverages, pork, and observance of non-Muslim religions are prohibited outside of the resorts and on inhabited islands. But that doesn’t mean that nightlife does not exist here because most resorts have bars and beach barbecue and cocktail parties are quite common.

The local weather permits all year round relaxation and fun filled activities at an average 28-32°C temperature even during the monsoon season in May to November. Tourism peaks in the cooler months of December to April. Getting to the Maldives via Male International Airport on Hulhule Island usually means having a stop over or transfer in Colombo, Sri Lanka but there are also direct flights that come from London, Singapore, and Istanbul. Their Gan southern regional airport on the Adull atoll is now accessible via direct flight from Milan. Getting around the Maldives archipelago is also quite easy as most resorts have their own sea planes, private yachts, speed boats, and water taxis.